Mechanism for sealing bottles.



P. CONRAD. I MECHANISM FOR SEALING BOTTLES; APPLICATION FILED APR.18,190a.

Patented Ju1y 5, 1910.

" a sums-sum 1.

P. CONRAD. v MECHANISM FOR. SEALING BOTTLE. APPLICATION-FILED APR. 18,1908.

Patented July 5, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. v P. CONRAD. MECHANISM FOR SEALING BOTTLES. V Y APPLICATION FILED APR.18, 1908. 953,21 0; Patented July 5, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

7 z Q45" g 5 G I a 5 I f E 1 J A fl Q i I -fi J //7 1 7 71 7 4 1 1| 6 0Z 0 H 17 v i 1 a? HE srs PAUL CONRAD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TOCHARLES P. MONASH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MECHANISM FOR SEALING BOTTLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 5, 1910.

Application filed April 18, 1908. Serial No. 427,947.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL CONRAD, a subject of the Emperor of Germany,and a resident of the city of Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Mechanism for SealingBottles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear,and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The object of the invention is to provide mechanism for sealing bottlesby the application of the bottle seal set forth in my application forUnited States Letters Patent filed on the 18th day of March, 1908,Serial No. 420,862. The bottle seal shown and described in saidapplication for patent com prises a specially constructed sealing capprovided with an internal packing material, said cap being applied withpressure to the bottle and at the same time the metal composing the samebeing drawn into conformity' with any irregularities in the bottle neck,the central portion thereof being dished inwardly to afford both aninward and an outer grip on the bottle neck. To accomplish this specialmechanism is required to carry out and perform the successive stepsdesirable in applying the seal to secure the most efficient applicationthereof in sealing.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of any sealing machineprovided with a sealing head embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is anenlarged vertical section of a sealing head showing the parts in normalposition. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the bottle neck with thesealing cap inserted, and at the moment of first applying pressure onthe cap to hold the same in place. Fig. 4 is a similar view illustratingthe form the parts assume as the pressure increases either as thesealing head descends or the bottle rises. Fig. 5 is a similar viewshowing a further stage of the compression applied on the sealing cap,the flanges crimped inwardly and the plunger raised preparatory torelease. Fig. 6 is a similar view showing the final step in the method,namely, the release of the spring plunger and the inward dishing orspringing of the central portion of the cap. Fig. '7 is a section online 77 of Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings: A indicates the standard or frame of anysuitable sealing machine, but which in this instance, is provided with avertically movable sealing head, indicated as a whole by A, and which isoperated vertically by means of the foot lever a, and any suitableoperative connections to move said sealing head downwardly upon thebottle (4, shown in dotted lines and which is supported upon theadjustable table (1. Said bottle may be of the usual or any suitablekind adapted to be sealed by engagement thereon of spring or frictioncaps and is provided at the upper end of the neck with an external bead,as is usual. Said sealing head comprises a cylindric shell B, ofsuitable length, which is externally threaded at its lower end toreceive the cen tering end piece I), which, as shown, is provided with acentral bore materially larger than the size of the neck of the bottle,and to which, from the periphery, the bottom of said centering endtapers upwardly. Said shell or casing B, is provided near its lower endwith an internal peripheral rib Z2, affording an aperture therethroughat the axis of the shell and dividing the easing into a relatively smalllower, and a larger upper chamber.

WVithin the lower chamber and bearing against the rib b, is a cage C,provided at each end with a peripheral rib oc, which extends outwardlyto, and fits into the cylindric shell 0 fitted in said lower chamber ofthe casing. Said peripheral ribs are connected by a sleeve Said sleeve 0on its inner side extends upwardly approximately in cylindric form for ashort distance and thence tapers inwardly to a peripheral innershoulder, as shown in Figs. 3 to 6, and. indicated by 0 At the bottom ofsaid sleeve 0 of the cage is also provided a shoulder indicated by 0 andwithin the cage is provided a drawing ring D, which is fitted be tweenthe shoulders 0 c and at its lower end from said shoulder taperssomewhat abruptly inwardly to a diameter approximating that of thebottle neck at the bead plus the thickness of the sealing cap and fromthence tapers upwardly at a somewhat slighter inclination.

Pivot-ally engaged to the bottom of the cage C, are a plurality ofradially acting, inwardly pressed spring fingers E. These, as shown,comprise depending blades each provided with an inwardly projectingpoint e at the lower end adapted to bear against the sides of the bottleneck and taper upwardly and inwardly on the lower end and taperingupwardly and outwardly on the upper side to permit the bottle neck to beinserted and withdrawn. At the rear and 011 the outer side of eachofsaid fingers is provided a leaf spring 0, which serves to bear the sameat all. times against the bottle neck to center the same exactly and toafford in effect a resilient guide therefor.

Above the rib b, and extending upwardly in the upper chamber is afollower F, which is provided with a cylindric axial aperturetherethrough and at its lower end is provided with a peripheral flangeadapted to seat on the rib Z), between tie chambers. Also provided inthelower end of the follower is a central recess adapted to receive theenlarged end of the presser foot F, which is provided at its upper endwith a flange 7, of greater diameter than the aper= ture through theflange or rib Z), so that normally, said presser foot is supported bysaid flange with the end thereof depending into the lower chamber. Saidpresser foot is provided with an axial aperture there= throughcorrespmidii'ig with the aperture in the follower F, and at its lowerend is shaped to fit partly upon the top and inner portion of the bottleneck and partly on the seal within the bottle neck.

Slidably secured in the follower and presser foot is a plunger F of alength to extend below the presser foot normally, or, in other words,when a bottle is not engaged in place adapted for adjustment relativethe follower and presser foot by means of a set screw f", and jam n'ut fas shown more fully in Fig. 2. Fitted in the upper end of the casing l3,is an internally threaded bearing ring G, and bearing against said ringand against the flange f, at the lower end of the follower is a strongpushing spring herein shown as a spiral springand acting nor= mally tohold said follower and presser foot at the lower limits of their travelin said casing, but adapted to be graduated to vary the pressure to suitthe pressure require ments in sealing by threading the ring G upwardlyor downwardly in the casing, thus enabling a wide range of pressure tobe se cured by such adjustment. Threaded within the ring is a downwardlydirected conical trip 9, provided with a central aperture therethroughin which is slidably engaged a spring hannner comprising a rod or shaftG. having an enlarged head g', adapted to strike the head of the plungerF 2 (formed by the head of the set. screw to drive the plungerdownwardly as the last stage in the process. A pushing spring 9", bearsagainst the lower end of the conical trip and against the upper side ofthe head 9'.

Means are provided for retracting or eleating the hammer with therelative movement of the sealing head and bottle. For this purposeupwardly directed arms H-H are pivotally engaged on each side of thefollower and are of a length to extend up wardly and past the head 9 ofthe spring hammer and to a point intermediate the same and the conicaltrip. A leaf spring g, suitably secured on the side of the fol lower andbears against each of said arms to press the same inwardly insubstantially parallel relation. On the inner side of the arms at apoint slightly below the head of the spring hammer when the follower isat its lowest point, is an inwardly director detent lb, adapted toengage beneath the head 9, of the hammer, and to press the same upwardlyas the follower rises, such upward moven'ient relative the sealing headcontinuing until the upper ends of said arms strike the inclined facesof the conical trip, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, to press said armsoutwardly releasing the hammer to impart a hammer blow upon the plungerF The operation is as follows: The bottle is placed upon the table a inposition for its neck with the sealing cap in place, to enter the lowerend of the sealing head and as the sealing head descends, or the bottlerises, as the case may be, the neck of the bottle is first accuratelycentered in the sealing head by means of the spring pressed fingers E,and continued movement of the sealing head or bottle forces the presserfoot firmly upon the seal and partly within the neck of the bottle, asshown in Fig. 3.- In this position the plunger being free to moveupwardly, rests lightly upon the central, slightly crowned portion ofthe sealing cap and continues to ride thereon as the bottle ascends orthe sealing head descends as the case may be. Further-relative movementof the sealing head and bottle forces the presser foot and followerupwardly against the tension of the spring f which may be as beforestated, graduated to suit the necessities or the conditions arising, itbeing the purpose to maintain sufficient pressure on and within the topof the sealing cap to permit the flange thereof when engaged-in thetapered ring D, as shown in Fig. 5, to be firmly drawn and closedbeneath the bead on the bottle neck. This drawing eflect is sutlicientto firmly press the packing material within the seal into anyinequalities in the end of the bottle neck, positively closing the sameand to some extent stretching or drawing the metal. This drawing efiectis continued as the relative movement progresses until the upper ends ofthe arms or levers HH contact the outwardly tapered sides of the tripmember g. Continued relative movement now forces said arms outwardly,releasing the hammer which, under the impulse of its spring, is throwndownwardly, and strikes the plunger F springing the previously upwardlydished or projecting center of the sealing cap inwardly, as shown inFig. 6, the presser foot and the crimping ring D, rigidly holding theperipheral portion of the cap, meanwhile completing the drawing orstretching of the metal affording the cap to fill every inequality inthe bottle neck and to afford within the bottle neck an inwardly dishedportion on the cap, which, owing to its form, exerts constantly aperipheral or outer pressure which augments, of course, with anypressure from within. The sealing having been completed, the reversemovement takes place, as usual, and the bottle with the seal intact, isreleased and another inserted to undergo the same operation.

While I am confident that the invention is applicable to other forms ofcaps than those provided with a raised central portion before described,nevertheless I have shown the same more particularly in connection withsuch a cap, although well knowing that a similar effect may be obtainedby applying any other style of sealing cap to afford first, a firmholding pressure on the bottle neck and partly within the same, second,while so firmly holding the sealing cap in place to crimp and draw theflange under the bead, and third, while so holding the cap and alsofirmly holding the crimp to press or drive the central portion of thecap inwardly to concave the same more or less and maintaining pressureon the cap as the oposite movement begins until pressure at the centerof the cap is released.

Of course, many details of the particular construction of the sealinghead may be varied and I therefore do not purpose limiting thisapplication for patent otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

- 1. In a device of the class described a casing, a reciprocatablefollower therein, a plunger extending axially through the follower andsupported loosely by the follower and a reciprocating hammer adapted tostrike the plunger.

2. In a device of the class described a casing, a follower thereinadapted to be elevated, a plunger extending through the follower adaptedto be elevated a predetermined distance independently thereof and thenwith the follower and a hammer adjusted to striking position by theelevation of the follower adapted to be released to strike the plungerat the highest point of elevation of the plunger.

3. In a device of the class described a casing, a follower thereinadapted to be elevated, a plunger extending through the follower adaptedto be elevated a predetermined distance independently thereof and thenwith the follower, a hammer adjusted to striking position by theelevation of the follower adapted-to be released to strike the plungerat the highest point of elevation of the plunger, a spring resistingelevation of the follower and a spring resisting adjustment of thehammer.

4. A. bottle sealing machine embracing a casing, a spring pressedfollower supported therein, a spring pressed hammer above the follower,a plunger loosely supported by the follower adapted to be elevated, andmeans for elevating the hammer and releasing the same to strike theplunger when elevated.

55. A bottle sealing mechanism embracing mechanism for bearing a sealingcap against the top of a bottle, a cage, a die rigidly engaged theretoadapted to crimp the flange of the cap against the outer side of theneck of the bottle and mechanism for reversing the center of the cap toafford an inner seal.

6. In a device of the class described a casing having an internal seat,a follower loosely supported thereon, a plunger extending through thefollower and loosely supported thereon, a presser foot around theplunger below the follower and means for actuating the plunger.

7 In a device of the class described a casing having an internal seat, afollower loosely supported thereon, a plunger extending through thefollower and loosely supported thereon, a presser foot around theplunger below the follower, means for actuating the plunger, a chucksecured to the casing below the seat forming a chamber and a mechanismtherein for forming the outer seal.

8. In a device of the class described a casing divided into an upper andlower chamber, mechanism in the lower chamber for forming the outerseal, a plunger supported in the upper chamber and extending axiallyinto the lower chamber and mechanism inclosed in the upper chamber foractuating the plunger.

9. In a device of the class described a casing having an internal rib, amember loosely supported therein, a spring for normally holding themember on the rib, a plunger extending through the member and supportedthereby, an actuating member, levers pivoted to the first named memberadapted to adjust the actuating member into actuating position and a cammember adjustably secured in the casing adapted to release the leversfrom the actuating member.

10. In a device of the class described a casing having an internal rib,a member loosely supported therein, a spring for normally holding themember on the rib, a plunger extending through the member and supportedthereby, an actuating member, levers pivoted to the first named memberadapted to adjust the actuating member into actuating position, a cammember adjustably secured in the casing adapted to release the leversfrom the actuating member, a presser foot supported by said rib andsurrounding the end of the plunger and mechanism around the plunger forforming the outer seal.

11. A bottle sealing mechanism comprising a casing, means therein forforming an inner seal, mechanism surrounding said means for forming anouter seal, a hammer in the casing, a reciprocating member in thecasing, and means movable with the reciprocating member for adjustingthe hammer to actuate the means for forming the inner seal.

12. A bottle sealing mechanism comprising a casing, means therein forforming an inner seal, mechanism surrounding said means for forming anouter seal, a hammer in the casing, a reciprocating member in thecasing, means movable with the reciprocating member for adjusting thehammer to actuate the means for forming the inner seal, a spring formoving the reciprocating member in one direction and a pushing springfor actuating the hammer.

13. In a machine of the class described a plunger adapted to restloosely upon the middle of the sealing cap until near completion of thesealing operation, a hammer adapted to strike said plunger downwardly todish the middle of the cap as one of the final steps in completing theseal and levers for elevating the hammer prior to striking the plunger.

14. I11 a machine of the class described a plunger adapted to restloosely upon the middle of the sealing cap, means for centering a bottlefor the plunger to rest on said center of the cap, means for forming theouter seal, means adapted to strike said plunger downwardly to dish themiddle of the cap to complete the sealing operation, means for adjustingsaid means to actuating position prior to striking the plunger and anadjustable member for releasing said adjusting means.

15. In a machine of the class described mechanism for forming the cap toprovide an outer seal, a. plunger for forming an inner seal, a hammeradapted to strike said plunger downwardly to form said inner seal priorto withdrawal of the bottle and reciprocating levers for raising thehammer pivoted to swing outwardly to release the hammer.

16. In a machine of the class described a plunger adapted to restloosely upon the middle of the sealing cap until near completion of thesealing operation, a spring operated hammer adapted to strike saidplunger downwardly to dish the middle of the cap, mechanism movable withthe plunger adapted to automatically actuate the hammer to increase thetension of the spring prior to the hammer striking the plunger and anadjustable cone member for releasing said mechanism from the hammer.

17. In a bottle sealing machine a cylindrical casing, a cam memberthreaded in the top thereof, a hammer projecting through the cam memberhaving its head on the under side, a spring interposed between thehammer head and cam member, a follower in the casing, a spring forholding the same at its lowest limit of movement, means carried by thefollower for engaging and elevating the hammer against its spring, andsaid means adapted to engage the cam member and release from the hammerand a plunger actuated by the hammer.

18. In a bottle sealing machine a cylindrical casing, a cam memberthreaded in the top thereof, a hammer projecting through the cam memberhaving its head 011 the under side, a spring interposed between thehammer head and cam member, a follower in the casing, a spring forholding the same at its lowest limit of movement, means carried by thefollower for engaging and elevating the hammer against its spring, andsaid means adapted to engage the cam member and release from the hammer,a plunger actuated by the hammer, a cage in the casing for closing theflange of the seal and pivotally supported members for holding thebottle seal prior to sealing.

19. A. bottle sealing mechanism comprising a plunger, a hammer,pivotally supported reciprocating members adapted to engage and elevatethe hammer, means for releasing said members from the hammer, a springfor actuating the hammer when released, means for adjusting the lengthof the plunger, a presser foot concentric with the lower end of theplunger and a sealing cage supported at the lower end of the plunger.

20. In a bottle sealing device mechanism for forming the outer seal,upwardly yielding means exert-ing pressure on the top of the cap to holdthe same tightly against the top of the bottle, means resisting upwardyielding of the same, a plunger extending axially through the pressureexerting means, and means elevated by upward movement of said pressureexerting means and automatically released to actuate the plunger to aidin sealing the cap.

21. In a device of the class described a plunger for forcing the centralpartof the cap into the mouth of a bottle and an automaticallyreciprocating member adapted to strike the plunger to actuate the same.

22. In a device of the class described a plunger for forcing the centralpart of the cap into the mouth of a bottle, an automaticallyreciprocating member adapted to strike the plunger to actuate the sameand means adapting the member to yield.

23. In a device of the class described a plunger rounded on its lowerend for sealing the central portion of a cap in a bottle neck, means forextending the plunger and a reciprocating member adapted to actuate theplunger to force the central portion of the seal inwardly.

24. In a sealing mechanism a plunger for engaging and forcing thecentral part of a cap in the bottle mouth, means in alinement therewithfor engaging and actuating the plunger, and means for lengthening theplunger to vary the distance the central portion of the cap is forcedinto the bottle.

25. In a bottle sealing mechanism means for firmly pressing a cap on thebottle mouth, a plunger extending therethrough to strike the center ofthe cap and force it into the bottle neck, means for striking theplunger, pivotal means for elevating the striking means and means forspreading the pivotal means for releasing the striking means whenelevated.

26. In a device of the class described a presser foot, a followerbearing thereon, a strong spring bearing on the follower, a plungerextending through the follower and presser foot, a hammer adapted toactuate the plunger, means pivoted to the follower for elevating thehammer and means for releasing the hammer from the pivoted elevatingmeans.

27. In a device of the class described a presser foot, a followerbearing thereon, a strong spring bearing on the follower, a plungerextending axially through the follower and presser foot, a hammeradapted to actuate the plunger, means pivoted to the follower forelevating the hammer, means for releasing the hammer from the pivotedelevating means, means for centering the bottle and cap for the plungerto strike the central portion of the cap and means for crimping theflange of the cap against the outside of the bottle 28. In a device ofthe class described a presser foot, a spring pressed follower thereon, aplunger loosely supported by the follower and extending through the sameand presser foot, means for engaging the plunger and means for forcingsaid means against the plunger.

In testimony whereof -I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

PAUL CONRAD.

Witnesses J. W. ANGELL, K. E. HANNAH.

